Students Receive "Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy" Award

In March of 2017, Delani Anderson, Yissel Rodriguez, and Galilea Villegas of Ms. Kahn's 6th grade home room began collecting money to make a memorial in honor of their friend Jada Middleton who died of brain cancer in December of 2016. The three girls got to know Jada's mother, Janette Middleton, through their roles as office helpers.

Yissel, Galilea, and Delani wanted to devise a way to honor Jada's memory and give to the La Vega Pirates Education Foundation because the foundation had awarded grants to their school. Ms. Nancy Muhammad, the school counselor, encouraged the girls to make posters to spread the word among the students. Through the three girls' campaigning, and the encouragement and kindness of the student population, the girls helped raise $1,087 to donate to the foundation in Jada's name.

The girls have attended La Vega ISD since Prekindergarten and Kindergarten and are currently seventh-graders at La Vega Junior High School George Dixon Campus.

Congratulations to Delani Anderson, Yissel Rodriguez, and Galilea Villegas! We are proud of you!